The sport that unifies Africans across tribal, ethnic and national divides was to have been celebrated at the Cup of Nations as a curtain raiser to the main football festival in South Africa in June.

But 30 minutes of gun fire by by separatist rebels left two people dead and many injured and has dampened the mood of FIFA and the world's football community.

It has burdened this year's World Cup with unwanted fears of what could happen at the hands of extremist groups like the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda, the group that claimed responsibility for the Togolese attack.

The security in South Africa will no doubt be ramped up compared to what was offered in Angola but will it be enough?

This horrible episode in Angola means nothing can be taken for granted any more.

Togo's footballers - who have made careers in the big leagues of England and France - must have woken the day after the attack thinking representative football in Africa is just not worth this.

It is hard to imagine how any player in Angola will have the heart for the African Cup of Nations.

In the past players like Manchester City's Emmanuel Adebayor and Chelsea's Michael Essien have often stated how much it means to them to represent their countries.

But will they now be prepared to put their country before their personal safety?

You could hardly blame them if they decide not to.

And what of their clubs?

Some of the world's leading football clubs have in the past sat back helplessly as they watched their prized assets departing for some far flung corner of Africa.

No club will now want to allow these players to travel to any destination where they may find themselves in danger.

It will be a body blow for football in Africa if these European stars do not return to the continent to play in front of their adoring fans but personal safety must come first.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger does not want to give in to terrorists but speaks for most big football club managers when he says more will need to be done.

''I dont believe you can just stop any competition because that means you reward the people who provoke the incident,'' Wenger said.

''The international federation needs to ensure security is good enough for the competition.''